Jasper Lady Dawgs advance to Class 4A state final game

Updated 3:26 pm, Thursday, April 14, 2016

Photo: Scott W. Coleman

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Jasper Bulldogs sophomore forward Julie Carter (1) fights for control of the ball during the first half of the Class 4A girls state semifinal soccer game between the Salado Eagles and the Jasper Bulldogs at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown, Texas, on Wednesday, April 13, 2016. less

Jasper Bulldogs sophomore forward Julie Carter (1) fights for control of the ball during the first half of the Class 4A girls state semifinal soccer game between the Salado Eagles and the Jasper Bulldogs at ... more

Photo: Scott W. Coleman

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Jasper Bulldogs sophomore midfielder Kylee Dominy (5) passes the ball during the first half of the Class 4A girls state semifinal soccer game between the Salado Eagles and the Jasper Bulldogs at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown, Texas, on Wednesday, April 13, 2016. less

Jasper Bulldogs sophomore midfielder Kylee Dominy (5) passes the ball during the first half of the Class 4A girls state semifinal soccer game between the Salado Eagles and the Jasper Bulldogs at Birkelbach ... more

Photo: Scott W. Coleman

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Jasper Bulldogs junior midfielder Macy Kendrick (18) moves the ball during the first half of the Class 4A girls state semifinal soccer game between the Salado Eagles and the Jasper Bulldogs at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown, Texas, on Wednesday, April 13, 2016. less

Jasper Bulldogs junior midfielder Macy Kendrick (18) moves the ball during the first half of the Class 4A girls state semifinal soccer game between the Salado Eagles and the Jasper Bulldogs at Birkelbach Field ... more

Photo: Scott W. Coleman

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Jasper Bulldogs junior defender Krystal Kraus (8) heads the ball during the first half of the Class 4A girls state semifinal soccer game between the Salado Eagles and the Jasper Bulldogs at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown, Texas, on Wednesday, April 13, 2016. less

Jasper Bulldogs junior defender Krystal Kraus (8) heads the ball during the first half of the Class 4A girls state semifinal soccer game between the Salado Eagles and the Jasper Bulldogs at Birkelbach Field in ... more

Photo: Scott W. Coleman

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Jasper Bulldogs sophomore midfielder Kylee Dominy (5) passes the ball during the first half of the Class 4A girls state semifinal soccer game between the Salado Eagles and the Jasper Bulldogs at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown, Texas, on Wednesday, April 13, 2016. less

Jasper Bulldogs sophomore midfielder Kylee Dominy (5) passes the ball during the first half of the Class 4A girls state semifinal soccer game between the Salado Eagles and the Jasper Bulldogs at Birkelbach ... more

Photo: Scott W. Coleman

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Jasper Bulldogs junior midfielder Macy Kendrick (18) passes the ball during the first half of the Class 4A girls state semifinal soccer game between the Salado Eagles and the Jasper Bulldogs at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown, Texas, on Wednesday, April 13, 2016. less

Jasper Bulldogs junior midfielder Macy Kendrick (18) passes the ball during the first half of the Class 4A girls state semifinal soccer game between the Salado Eagles and the Jasper Bulldogs at Birkelbach Field ... more

Photo: Scott W. Coleman

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Jasper Bulldogs head coach Gabriela Carter coaches from the sideline during the first half of the Class 4A girls state semifinal soccer game between the Salado Eagles and the Jasper Bulldogs at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown, Texas, on Wednesday, April 13, 2016. less

Jasper Bulldogs head coach Gabriela Carter coaches from the sideline during the first half of the Class 4A girls state semifinal soccer game between the Salado Eagles and the Jasper Bulldogs at Birkelbach Field ... more

Photo: Scott W. Coleman

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Jasper Bulldogs sophomore midfielder Kylee Dominy (5) heads the ball during the first half of the Class 4A girls state semifinal soccer game between the Salado Eagles and the Jasper Bulldogs at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown, Texas, on Wednesday, April 13, 2016. less

Jasper Bulldogs sophomore midfielder Kylee Dominy (5) heads the ball during the first half of the Class 4A girls state semifinal soccer game between the Salado Eagles and the Jasper Bulldogs at Birkelbach Field ... more

Photo: Scott W. Coleman

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Salado Eagles senior defender Morgan Bird (5) and Jasper Bulldogs junior midfielder Macy Kendrick (18) fight for control of the ball during the first half of the Class 4A girls state semifinal soccer game between the Salado Eagles and the Jasper Bulldogs at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown, Texas, on Wednesday, April 13, 2016. less

Salado Eagles senior defender Morgan Bird (5) and Jasper Bulldogs junior midfielder Macy Kendrick (18) fight for control of the ball during the first half of the Class 4A girls state semifinal soccer game ... more

Photo: Scott W. Coleman

Jasper Lady Dawgs advance to Class 4A state final game

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GEORGETOWN -- With a win over Kennedale today, the Jasper girls soccer team could bring home the program's first-ever state title.

The Lady Dawgs advanced to the Class 4A final after defeating No. 1 Salado on Wednesday when midfielder Kaitlin Campos scored the only goal of the game during an overtime period.

"I just kept my composure when I saw I had that shot," said Campos, who had the ball roll to her inside Salado's 18-yard box on a cross meant for a teammate. "I put my body over the ball. I thought, if it doesn't go in, I tried. If it does, we are going to the championship."

Jasper (24-3-1) will play Kennedale (26-2) at 2:30 p.m. today at Birkelbach Field.

No Southeast Texas soccer team has won a state title since the UIL began hosting state soccer tournaments in 1983.

Until the Lady Dawgs' win on Wednesday, the only other team to win a semifinal was the 1999 Nederland boys team. The Bulldogs lost 2-1 to Grandbury in that Class 4A final.

Kennedale, which won the state title last year, is expected to be a tough competitor for Jasper. The Lady Kats dismantled Kilgore 6-0 on Wednesday.

Jasper, which is making its second-straight appearance at state, lost 4-3 to Princeton during the 2015 semifinal game.

"After we lost last year, and lost our seniors and leadership, I told the girls we just had to find our way back here," said Jasper head coach Gabriella Carter. "We are determined to come back home with a state title."

It's been a decade since a Jasper team brought home a state championship trophy. The Jasper baseball team won a Class 3A title in 2006 in a 14-4 upset over Liberty Eylau.

Carter did not play in last year's semifinal because she had a broken hip. During Wednesday's game against Salado, she led the team with four shots, including three on goal.

She said it was "indescribable" to see Campos' goal go in the net.

"I was so happy," she said.

Campos' goal was only the 11th allowed by Salado this season and the third in five postseason games.

Jasper's junior goalkeeper Yvette Carter finished the game with three saves and her 19th shutout of the season. The Lady Dawgs, who outshot Salado 11-9, have allowed only 15 goals all season.

Kennedale 6, Kilgore 0

Kennedale scored three goals in the opening eight minutes against Kilgore on Wednesday, running away with a second Class 4A state semifinal. The team, which hails from a Ft. Worth suburb, plays Jasper at 2:30 p.m. today for the state title.

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The Lady Kats' will be looking for the team's second-straight Class 4A state title after defeating Princeton 4-1 in last year's final.